UNStudio, b720 Arquitectura and Esteyco's receives top score in competition for Madrid-Chamartín station UNStudio, b720 Arquitectura and Esteyco's receives top score in competition for Madrid-Chamartín station
News - 15 December 2022

UNStudio, b720 Arquitectura and Esteyco's receives top score in competition for Madrid-Chamartín station

Adif AV preselected the design proposal submitted by UNStudio, with b720 Arquitectura and engineering firm Esteyco, to be the winning proposal for the remodelling of Madrid-Chamartín Clara Campoamor and its urban integration.

‘Open Ecosystem’ unanimously obtained the maximum possible score from the jury in an international competition to transform the Madrid-Chamartín Clara Campoamor railway hub into an international benchmark for sustainable, multimodal, connected and integrated mobility.

Other shortlisted teams included BIG, Foster + Partners, OMA, Zaha Hadid Architects, Grimshaw, RSHP and Souto de Moura.

"We are truly delighted that our design has been nominated as the winning proposal for this extremely exciting urban regeneration project,” said UNStudio founder and principal architect, Ben van Berkel.

Render: Play time

A key element that UNStudio, b720 Arquitectura and Esteyco team deemed essential in the proposed design was to retain and respect the historical vaulted roofs of Chamartín station, recognising them as a singular and identifying element of the station.

Stepped terraces are also added to generate permeability with the surrounding city, while urban balconies open views over the station and integrate the complex into its surroundings. As such, the station forms a porous extension to the new parks located on either side of the complex.

“Madrid is fast becoming one of the most exciting and attractive cities in Europe. The transformation of this area will invigorate this part of the city while adding new green lungs to Madrid. We are thrilled to have worked with the best possible local partners on this proposal, as collaboration was key to our team’s success,” Ben van Berkel added.

The design for the Madrid-Chamartín Clara Campoamor masterplan builds on UNStudio’s 30 years of experience and accumulated expertise in station design. From Arnhem Central Station to the Doha Metro Network, UNStudio has consistently put design excellence, urban activation, sustainability and outstanding user experience at the forefront of its mobility projects.